REDMOND, Wash. — In spite of reading the Purpose Driven Life at the urging of his co-workers and grandmother, Derek Monroe remains convinced that life has no purpose.

“We are bits of protoplasm spinning in an endless cosmic accident,” he says. “And I’m fine with that.”

To his Christian friends’ consternation, Monroe finds great comfort believing that no higher power has expectations of him, and that he can enjoy life without having to bother relating to a divine being.

“He’s the nicest atheist I’ve ever met,” says a friend. “I have to remind myself that he must have an aching emptiness for God. I don’t see it.”

Monroe respects author Rick Warren for giving people “hope, of a sort.” He just says he doesn’t need it and can’t imagine “the misery of trying to communicate and have a relationship with an invisible super-being,” he says.

“I appreciate everybody’s concern for me, but having a purpose doesn’t excite me,” he says. “I’m busy being a human organism, doing what humans do: explore, learn, work, relax. I find it all very appealing.” •